Man bears cross on 6-year journey

After passing through Holyoke Friday, Feb. 8, Joe Shortino was just days away from the six-year mark on his cross-country journey. Bearing a cross and a shofar horn, he has walked over 12,000 miles to spread the message that God will bless America and its veterans. “I’m out here to let people know there’s a hope,” he said. “I’m proud to be an American.” Shortino spent time praying for Holyoke on Friday, noting he doesn’t leave a town until God tells him it’s time to move on. While he said he doesn’t make any money on his journey, he’s thankful to have never slept a night on the street and has never gone hungry, for which he gave credit to God’s provision. Shortino is from the Front Range and was headed to Sterling from Holyoke, hoping to catch a ride due to the snow on the ground. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications